Story & Ride in Kyle's original unrestored 1969 Buick Riviera

This is one nice, what I call a," true survivor"..... Plus Kyle has all the paper work to top off the cake on this basically like new still, 1969 Buick Riviera. For a 53 year old car, it's still like when it was built.... no cut up dash, or after market speakers mounted in the door panels. It's as it rolled off the assembly line. Thats the way I like cars, all original!
Kyle shows the paperwork and gives us a ride. Enjoy!
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[@kevinallen8162]

That “Buick is a Beauty too” mirror brought back many good memories of my family’s 1971 Very heavily optioned Buick Sportwagon.

[@scotttillotson1989]

What a spectacular Riviera, and it’s a real survivor. It’s nice to see such a young man taking such a great interest in this old car. It seems like he will be a good caretaker for it over time.

[@OldCarAlley]

Totally

[@1955gaylord]

Leave it alone it's original only once , such a sweet surviver

[@seiph80]

Looking at the window sticker, I always get a kick on how they would nickle-dime you for everything! A/C alone was over 10% of the car's price! In 2023 dollars, both the A/C and AM-FM stereo radio combined cost around $6,400 extra!

[@christospollakis7358]

What a beautiful Buick. That's a true survivor car , all original , unmolested. Beautiful color and I like the interior with the vinyl and cloth combo. Highly optioned car . Another option I noticed is on the rear view mirror underneath is map light , very cool option. I think the car is in good hands with the new owner. I can tell he loves the car. I'm very impressed that someone his age appreciates a car like that. I owned a 69 triple black Riviera G.S. for 28 years, one of the best car s I had, also had a 68 and a 71. Excellent video ,I really like all your videos especially the one on the 1959 Buick Electra 225 and the 1963 Wildcat and on the 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible .Very informative and I really like the story telling .

[@virtuestreams2616]

Holy cow ! This car is a gem and what’s fantastic is the owner is young and invested. I love it!

[@roosty6]

This survivor is looking great just as is. My brother had a 430 in his 67 Wildcat and yes, it would move that big heavy car very quickly.

[@OldCarAlley]

Those 430's are true power houses.

[@majorpayne5289]

👍True classic Buick beauty! Love those Buicks!! Can’t beat the ride and power. Congrats to the owner for a true score along w/ the classic mower.

[@brianhdueck3372]

That’s one gorgeous car! Yes those cars all had their own sounds. I still clearly hear the neighbours cars of my youth. Those were the days.

[@OldCarAlley]

Back in the day, my friends teased me because I could tell them exactly what brand and engine displacement was in a car by sound only....... I was correct 90% of the time.

[@65bugnut]

The Buick is a beautiful car. The paint is only original once, however if it were my car, I would seriously consider taking it to someone who could fix the paint on the hood.

[@OldCarAlley]

I'd just buff it.... it part of the cars interesting history, so I defiantly wouldn't paint it.

[@jdgimpa]

Neat old Buick built the year I graduated from high school. One of my buddies mom had a 69 Buick Wildcat. That car would lay rubber for days!

[@OldCarAlley]

Yea, those 430's are power houses.

[@dietersmythe9649]

I was able to obtain the actual key codes for my ‘72 Vette via GM historical division. The next step was to find a dealer with the proper blanks & interested in cutting, took awhile but eventually worked out.

[@bradhoward9055]

You and Kyle are a nice complement to each other. He really struck gold with that Riviera. I hope he watches some of your videos to see your talents. You could help him with everything he wants to get working correctly on his Riviera. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yes, Kyle is a subscriber of mine.

[@bradhoward9055]

Well then he already knows of your prowess and deft methods . He sure seems to be a rather good man. It’s really cool to see you with a member of the younger generation sharing the passion of old cars.

[@OldCarAlley]

@@bradhoward9055 The younger generation is the future for our old cars when we're gone. I always encourage younger guys to enjoy the vintage cars.

[@jeffreyconstance6435]

I love this car. My neighbor growing up had the brown with the beige top that was very popular on that body style.

[@1955gaylord]

What a nice riv . I worked in a buick dealer in 73-74 and got to drive and work on many riv's 225's etc . Such nice cars .

[@OldCarAlley]

There's a 73 in my next video.

[@1955gaylord]

Love the boat tails 72's we're nice non 5 mph bumpers and no vents in the deck lid . Bill Mitchell design if I remember right .

[@1955gaylord]

We also had 2 , 73 , 225's new delivered equipped with driver side airbag . One of the first in the US. They also tested some on chevy impalas and caprices in 73 .

[@OldCarAlley]

@@1955gaylord I remember see them in a car of that era once.

[@brianmaynard7320]

Great looking Riviera!! He'll be a great owner!! Car looks and drives exceptionally! Thanks for sharing with us!!

[@RubenGarcia-mx9zu]

Beautiful 69 Riviera. I have a 70 Riviera Gs. That is also a Survivor. I made extra keys for mine and Ace Hardware actually had them that look the same and Work. Yes my 70 has an electric fuel pump as Well. I have found that these cars run Better on High octane fuel. Better starts every time and runs and idles the way it should. Back then there was High octane and leaded Fuel witch these Big Compression Motors Love. I Fuel that they sell Now that is unleaded and Methanol dry up the Gaskets on carburetor and fuel pumps. I dried additives and does not work. Waste of Money. Find a place we’re you live and put Racing Fuel in Her. I use 110 octane and it stars right away on every start. You well feel the Difference and it we’ll not harm your Vehicle. I have used it in my car for the last six Years and no matter how long the car sits , I turn the key on and pump it twice and she Fires Right up. Good luck my Friend and enjoy. Beautiful Original Riv. Congrats.

[@rogercamp6071]

Man Howard that's one sweet Riviera, reminds me of one that a local diesel mechanic back home owned,it was black with a white top and I believe a red interior, don't know what became of it after he passed away but it was a nice one, that one reminds me a lot of the '70 Dodge Monaco four door hardtop that I owned back in the nineties,it rode like it was on a cloud and it had the cornering lights like the Riviera as well.

[@liljoeii6091]

That Buick look real good thank you for the video

[@dave1956]

In 1969 when you ordered custom deluxe seat belts (standard on this model) the small buckles were used to make identification by feel easier. It also was the first to use a ratcheting retractable male end to the belt.

[@bradparris99]

It was a good idea, but very few people back then wore a lap belt and even fewer wore the shoulder belt. In 1978 I had my grandfather's 1970 Buick Electra and was that rare teenager that used both the lap and shoulder belts back then. I found the different size buckles made buckling up much easier. in addition to the obvious safety aspect of wearing both belts, I found that the car drove and handled better with the belts on, especially the shoulder belt. In 1982 I was in a head on collision with a drunk driver and the belts most likely saved my life as I walked away with only bruises from the belts.

[@dave1956]

@@bradparris99 In 1967 when I was 10 years old we were involved in a nasty collision when a guy failed to stop at a stop sign and my mother T-boned the car. We were driving a 1960 Ford Falcon which was not equipped with any seat belts. I was in the backseat and received minor injuries, but my mother, brother and his friend received severe injuries. They all had to remain in the hospital and I was treated and released. When my father and I left the hospital the first thing that I did upon entering our newer car was fasten my seat belt. Since that day I have been a faithful user of seat belts. My first car with the combination seat and shoulder belt was a 1974 Pontiac Grand Prix. I worked in the collision industry for 45 years and would laugh to myself when I would get customers who would whine about an abrasion that they received from an air bag. I would think of my brother and his friend who were pulling glass shards from their faces for over a year after our 1967 accident.

[@bradparris99]

@@dave1956 I never could and still can't figure out why people resist wearing a seat belt. You pay for insurance on your car and the seat belts are like free insurance for you when in the car. Yes, my 70 Electra with the separate lap and shoulder belts was a bit quirky to buckle up and a bit confining with the non-retracting shoulder belt but it was just common sense to wear them and I felt better doing so. All of my friends thought I was nuts for buckling up and I maybe could get a front seat passenger to wear the lap belt which was some protection but not like wearing both the lap and shoulder belts. Sadly, safety just wasn't cool back then and a lot of people learned the hard way- if they were lucky enough to survive a crash. I am 60 and have buckled up since I was 16. I thought I was mature to get in, turn the ignition, push the cigarette lighter, buckle up both the lap and shoulder belts, light up a cigarette and take off. Both habits continue to this day- good and bad LOL.

[@dave1956]

@@bradparris99 Most of the new cars don’t even have an ash tray. My wife has a 2007 Hyundai Sonata that still has an unused ash tray and lighter. We both smoked when we were younger, but I haven’t had one in about 40 years. My wife about 25 years.

[@bradparris99]

@@dave1956 Neither my 2019 pickup or car have one, and I get it that I'm in the minority on that. Gota have something to complain about. LOL

[@dave1956]

I owned a 1969 Riviera back in 1975-1976. It wasn’t as this one is now. Cars in those days seemed to be treated like they were disposable. I tried to revive it, but it was already too beat up, even to an 18 year old guy.

[@noelgibson5956]

Those first six years must have been a hard life for it! My 2012 Corolla sedan still looks new!

[@dave1956]

@@noelgibson5956 You must be younger than me. Back in those days cars did not hold up, especially in the northern climates. My 2007 Hyundai looks and drives very close to brand new. I remember 3 year old vehicles having rust holes in them. But I will agree, that poor old Riviera must have had some hard use. The odometer showed only 69,000 miles when I bought it in April, 1975. The color had been changed to black. I was just a dumb kid of 18. Now I am a dumb old man of 66!

[@AlexRamirez-lf1wj]

Nice car glad to own 2 68 Rivieras one is a GS option.

[@giltracy505]

Beautiful Riv,when we had real cars! Great video thanks Howard.

[@bigmountain7561]

Hi nice Riv but those louvers below the rear glass were known for carbon monoxide getting into the cabin of the car, that’s why GM deleted that design detail or I think they kept it but made it non functional. Great Videos Thank You 🙏

[@OldCarAlley]

Originally they were suppose to exhaust interior air, but it didn't work out that well, so you're correct. The non functioning ones caused bad rust, so eventually GM completely did away with them.

[@obc1500]

What a great Buick. It’s great it’s original, but it really needs to be sanded and painted. Everything else on the car is so nice! I’d be afraid it would start rusting pretty bad

[@OldCarAlley]

I think if its kept waxed and garaged it should be fine. It's worth a repaint, but I like it as a true survivor better.

[@Martin48964]

Kyle has a beautiful Riviera. Quite a find for him. It needs a few tweaks to make it right. I was surprised at some of the extras that it has. I didn't think they were putting some of them in '69's. You know, I would think about having it repainted. It is such a classy car that a beautiful repaint would really finish it off nicely. I hope that Kyle came back for the lawnmower. Is Gigi your cat?

[@OldCarAlley]

It's a 53 year old car, so it has a few things that need attention, but it still is a super solid sweet unrestored car. The paint issue is part of the car's history. I would buff the hood and leave it as is. Gigi is a neighbors car that hangs out at my house since she was a little kitten and often sleeps on my front porch. She is a full grown Bengal cat.... one from the wild.

[@orlandogonzalez822]

really nice I dig it!!!!😁

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

LOL at 36:30 that Quadrajet said NOPE! That's the first I've ever heard of an electric fuel pump on something like this. Makes me think they were trying to avoid vapor lock issues. Buicks are such nice cars.

[@OldCarAlley]

Yea a little cough, but that wasn't that uncommon even when the cars were new. I remember when carburetors were still on all cars, people would wait for big gaps to pull out if their engine was still cold, incase it stalled... often caused from poor maintenance. That electric pump was used only one year. I had a friend back in the day the had the same car. The fuel pump went bad. It turned in to a nightmare for him to find a replacement. I remember that well.

[@MostlyBuicks]

1969 and 1970 Buick Rivieras (and only Rivieras) had electric fuel pumps.

[@frothe42]

Gorgeous Buick. It certainly is a very well optioned car! I just looked at the specifications on the Old Car Brochures site and the gear ratio was 3.07, 3.42 for the GS, as that was the performance Riviera. I could automatically tell it had Climate Control as the sensor is just before the dash speaker, a giveaway. Not many optioned up for ACC, so I do hope this young man eventually has the climate control system looked over and properly repaired, it would make driving a more pleasant experience. That starter motor is a dead giveaway that it is a GM vehicle; they were using those starter motors for quite a number of years, very distinctive! The previous owner definitely loved this vehicle; the only shortcoming is the paint. I would try to repair the rust before it gets too bad, it usually tends to spread if not addressed And Buick, I feel, was a step below Cadillac in a sense that one was financially "comfortable" yet did not want to flaunt his wealth, wanted something unique, yet comfortable, and could afford it. Riviera was a luxury sport coupe that set the standard, although some would argue Thunderbird started that trend years before. My mother would make us put on our lap belts in our 1970 Ford Country Sedan, and my grandmother had similar seatbelts in her 1970 Caprice, another GM touch. Thank you very much for featuring this lovely Buick, and I certainly hope this young man continues to love and enjoy this stunning classic.

[@OldCarAlley]

I do think he has every intention of fixing the automatic climate control. It's a rare option worth getting working. The plus is everything is still there. He has the clutch for the A/C compressor in the trunk. My dads 72 Country Squire had the separate shoulder belts too, but they clipped into the male coupler end, then into the coupler at the seat. Dad always used them. I hated them, because they were a pain to use and uncomfortable. Seat belts definitely have been improved since then. It sure is an amazing car. It's worth new paint, but it would need to be 100% repainted, as I think just painting parts of it would look bad. I do like it as-is due to the story behind it...... I have seen other cars with the same paint issues from foundry dust.

[@TOM-C.]

I love the old Riviera's, a neighbor had one when I was about 8 or 9, and I always looked at it when walking by. This would be a great project car Howard??? 😁👍✌

[@OldCarAlley]

It docent need much..... its ultra solid, especially for a Michigan car.

[@TOM-C.]

@@OldCarAlley I should have been more clear.😁 Not this particular gorgeous car, but another 66-69 Riviera that needs your special attention. Would make a great project car, maybe even a 71/72, but I like the older style better. Cheers Howard, you'll find some interesting project for us. 👍✌

[@dave1956]

1969 was the only year with an electric fuel pump. The standard axle ratio was a 3.07:1.

[@SnowMan68]

Too bad he doesn't want to sell this this would be your next perfect project car you wouldn't have to do a lot to it and it would be a quick turnaround!

[@MrBrianbusch]

Nice Buick, but needs some TLC to get the ingnition to pop on a half crank like your cars do!

[@OldCarAlley]

I think that might be from dirty air bleeds in the carburetor.....

[@MostlyBuicks]

1969 and 1970 Rivieras had the electric fuel pump.

[@Muttleytech]

Leave it as is.

[@nefaurora]

Nice solid Riviera... but on this car.....forget the original paint thing on this car. The paint is way too far gone in most areas..especially the entire front clip. The car has serious surface rust issues on the entire front end of the car and some small spots on the sides. What he needs to do is have it sanded to bare metal, treated, and then have the car painted. The way the car is now, Those surface rust issues will turn into big ones in no time flat...especially being in the rust belt.. I'm all for original paint...but not on this thing... I think that he should worry about preservation first...and that includes a total sand down to bare metal, rust and metal treatment...sealing, priming and painting....then garaging.. Tony K.

[@OldCarAlley]

As far as the paint goes, its been like that a long time.... he keeps the car waxed and garaged, so I don't think it will get worse, plus it will never see road salt. I'd be torn between leaving it, or repainting the whole car if it were mine. I think painting only the bad areas would make the car look patched up..... so its painting all or none in my mind. The car is well worth painting, but the paint issue is part of the history on that solid old amazing Michigan survivor. Thats why if it were mine, I'd be torn on what to do. I "think" he would like to have it painted, but he has a house payment, a car lease payment, plus another classic sitting in his garage. Maybe in the future he will have it painted.

[@nefaurora]

@@OldCarAlley Yeah, There are cars that I am torn on repainting or not...but this car would be an easy decision for me.. That front clip needs paint badly...All the wax in the world is not going to protect that but at least it helps. It's good that he garages the car too. From what I remember, The '68 model was identical to the '69 model...just like the '66 and '67 are identical. The '70 model was a total freakoid with a completely new Skylark type front clip, yet still keeping the '69 rear end... ;)

[@josephjohnson9114]

Spoken like a true car guy. I agree 100%

[@ricktotty2283]

My 2001 Corvette headlight actuators were $1500 each.

[@OldCarAlley]

Thats a lot more than $12 back in the day..... but $12 for a car part back then was expensive, especially for a little motor for the head light doors.

[@ricktotty2283]

@@OldCarAlley that was the price for the actuator without the motor. I took them apart and made bushing myself. Looks like your feel better.

[@OldCarAlley]

@@ricktotty2283 I feel much better thank you.

[@chickenjo23]

69 and 70 models had the electric fuel pump.

[@michaelmertz2502]

Wow that car! My 69 is ruff 😢

[@joserafaelgrangefuenmayor7744]

Me gusta el carro

[@josephjohnson9114]

Curious to know what you paid for it considering it's untouched survivor.

[@OldCarAlley]

It's not my car, so I have no idea on what he paid for it.

[@milfordcivic6755]

Original condition or not, he's gotta get the paint redone. It just looks terrible.

[@OldCarAlley]

NO that's part of the cars history and story. It docent look that bad in person. I'd just buff it out and call it good.